tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22727053024567140022024-02-20T18:05:39.494-08:00ArtInMotionBrian - AIMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754317079752875868noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272705302456714002.post-16624032226789028692017-11-05T07:14:00.001-08:002017-11-05T07:14:52.938-08:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK1" style="color: #999999; text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Relighting The Spark<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have raised your children, are getting close to retiring (or are already retired), and it happens. You look across the breakfast table at your partner and think, “We haven’t done anything together in ages. It’s time we get to know one another again. To fall in love again, to rekindle the fire”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The problem is finding something that you can both do together at the same time that invites romance. There are many things that couples can do together, but finding something that is both active and romantic is getting more and more difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was a time, not so long ago, when couples went dancing EVERY week. There was always a place you could go, where couples would whirl around the dance floor, creating an enchanting, lively scene. Dances like that are more difficult to find, but they are in fact out there, some of them right here in town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Now imagine yourself taking your partner onto the floor and being able to move with confidence and poise. Picture how great it would feel to sway with the music, you and your partner in tune with one another. When you learn to dance in an environment that is fun, exciting and makes it easy, you become involved in an activity that exercises your body as well as your mind in a way that few other hobbies allow. Dancing with each other, you will find that you also learn to co-operate and encourage one another. Spending time together; and bonding with your partner while engaging in a new and entertaining pastime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are benefits for both gentlemen and ladies in dancing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For him, it’s the ability to take your partner onto the dance floor, and have her thrilled to be there; while most men are not motivated by the promise of feeling “light and free and floating”, if a lady wants to feel that way, and you have that ability to give her what she wants, she will be happy. If you don’t have a clue as to how to move your hips like a Cuban, that’s still quite ok. But, if you can get a woman to move her hips, and put a genuine smile on her face while doing it, why wouldn’t you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For her if it could be summed up in one sentence; because it makes her feel beautiful. Despite what you might think from watching movies and television, dancing is not about just <i>looking </i>like a fairy-tale princess or movie star. It’s about <i>feeling</i> like one. The promise of a gentlemen making you feel like the most beautiful lady on the dance floor is one of the most magical aspects of couples dancing. No amount of makeup, botox, spandex, hairspray or airbrushing can make a lady’s eyes light up from the inside, or put a genuine smile on her lips like moving with a partner while he twirls and sways with you to the music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many couples that begin dancing make it a weekly “date night”, and some have been dancing together for many years. All of these couples are in long term marriages, with some having over thirty years together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frank and Marian O’Connor have been attending their weekly dance lessons for over 13 years. When they were asked by a group of young people how they managed to stay married for so long, when so many marriages are ending, Frank simply responded “I take my wife dancing every week”. As expected, the youths responded with many “awwwww”’s, and “that’s so sweet”. The couple just looked at each other, and smiled knowingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never danced before? Don’t worry. Once you get the first steps of a dance under your belt, the rest is like learning to walk – one step at a time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soon you’ll find yourselves caught up in a whirlwind of romance, sharing, working together, and gliding across the floor. If you are looking to reconnect with your spouse, dancing together may just be the ticket.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For Ballroom, Latin and fitness classes in town, as well as monthly dances, please visit AIM Dance’s website at brantforddancelessons.com, or call 519.720.0379</span></i></div>
Brian - AIMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754317079752875868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272705302456714002.post-84304379779937858452017-03-30T13:40:00.003-07:002017-03-30T13:40:51.512-07:00THIS IS WHY WE DANCE - from BBC Magazine<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK1"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 20.0pt;">This is Why We Dance<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">Dr Peter Lovatt<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dancing is in our </span><st1:stockticker><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">DNA</span></st1:stockticker><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">.
It is found in every culture around the world throughout history, and is
enjoyed by people of every age, from toddlers to the elderly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">From a scientific prospective, dance ins an important
human activity. Actually, from <i>any</i>
perspective dance is an important human activity. It’s important for enjoyment,
for interpersonal communication, for social bonding and for our general health
and well-being as well.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Scientists have long been interested in dance because
it can tell us about our innate responses to music, about why some people get
dizzy and others don’t, about how we find a mate and about the very essence of
being human. Dance is something that only we can do (no other animals on the
planet can dance creatively like us), and which every human being is equipped
for. If you love to dance, welcome to the club. Now let’s find out <i>why</i> we dance…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Boogie Brains<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">It all begins in our brains. The human brain is
specialized for the control of movement – it needs to be, in order to
manipulate our 600-plus muscles. The motor cortex, located at the rear of the
frontal love, is involved in the planning, control and execution of voluntary
movements. Meanwhile, the basal ganglia, a set of structures deep within the
brain, works with the motor cortex to trigger well-coordinated movements, and
may also act as a filter by blocking out unsuitable movements, such as that
ill-advised funky chicken. The cerebellum, at the back of the skull, also
performs several roles, including integrating information from our senses so
that our movements are perfectly fluid and precise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Just lifting a cup of tea to our mouths involves an
unimaginably complicated sequence of nerve impulses, so how can our brains cope
with a full-blown dance routine? In 2006, researchers at the </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">University</span></st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> of </span><st1:placename><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Texas Health Science Centre</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">
at </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">San Antonio</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">
asked amateur tango dancers to perform a basic dance step known as ‘box step’
while lying in a PET (positron emission tomography) scanner. The researchers saw
activation in a region of the brain called the precuneus, which is associated
with spatial perception. They suggest that this region creates a map of our
body’s positioning in space, helping us to keep track of our torso and flailing
limbs as we plot across the dance floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Of course, dancing also tends to involve music. By
comparing the tango dancers’ brain scans both with and without music, the
researchers noticed that those performing to music had more activity in a
particular region of the cerebellum called the anterior vermis, which receives
input from the spinal cord. It might be that this region of the brain acts as a
kind of neurological metronome, coordinating our different brain areas and
helping us to keep time to a beat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Just like any activity, the more we dance, the better
we get, as new neural connections are forged and strengthened. What’s more, it
seems that our brains may even reward us for having a good boogie. Music has
been shown to activate the reward centers in the brain, and some motor areas
are also connected to reward-related regions, so dancing can give us the
satisfaction of feeling good. It’s part of a virtuous circle: we generate
rhythm, we move to it, we feel great, we do it some more. Let the good times
roll…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Born to Bop?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">We still don’t know for sure whether humans have
evolved an innate instinct to dance, or whether dancing is a learned social
activity. Nevertheless, a growing body of research suggests that we are indeed
born to dance. Why else would we make ourselves look so ridiculous at school
discos or the work Christmas party, when we’re desperately trying to impress
someone?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">To investigate whether dancing is an innate activity,
researchers need to look at three factors. First, do humans show an <i>inclination</i> to dance – a natural
tendency, or an urge? Second, is dancing <i>automatic
</i>– ie, are people able to dance without being taught? And finally, is
dancing <i>universal?</i> Do people from all
parts of the world displace dance-based behaviour?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">This last one is easy: dance is truly universal, both
in time and place. Anthropologists have shown that dance-like behaviour dates
back to thousands of years. Early Bronze Age paintings in the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Magura</span></st1:placename><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cave</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bulgaria</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">
appear to depict a fertility dance while dancing was an important part of life
in Ancient Greece and </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Egypt</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">.
Dance has played multiple roles throughout history, in religious ceremonies,
rituals and festivals, and as a way to heal, entertain and tell stories. It
might even have served as an early form of language.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Meanwhile, there’s also evidence that dancing is both
a natural urge and an automatic behaviour. In 2009, researchers led by Isvan
Winkler at the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hungarian</span></st1:placename><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">
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of Scientists showed that babies as young as two days old are able to detect a
simple beat. When the babies heard a missing downbeat, their neural activity
suggested that they were expecting the downbeat to be present – so newborn
babies appear to have an innate sense of rhythm. In a separate study in 2010,
Marcel Zentner and Tuomas Eerola showed that older babies make more rhythmic
body movements in response to music than they do to human speech, and some even
speed up their movements when the tempo is ramped up. The evidence all suggests
that humans are hardwired to boogie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dancing for Joy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">If our brains are primed for dancing, it’s no
surprise that we love to get our groove on. But there’s another reason too:
it’s a fantastic mood enhancer. I’ve been drunk on disco, made merry by a
merengue and felt the euphoria of dancing in a hot, sweaty night club. And it
seems that everyone can experience that euphoria: Zentner and Eerola even found
that their baby subjects smiled as they moved to the rhythm. The more they
moved, the more they smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">So why does dancing make us feel better? It might be
because as we move together in response to music, we also move in response to
each other’s rhythms, helping us to form a social bond. It’s one of the reasons
why we love music festivals. A 2010 study by Sebastian Kirschner and Michael
Tomasello at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology showed that
after a session of paired music making, four year old children were more likely
to behave cooperatively and helpfully. Music and dancing act as a kind of
social lubricant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">As with any intense physical activity, dancing can
also release endorphins – the feel-good, pain-relieving brain chemicals
responsible for the so-called ‘runners high’. In fact, Bronwyn Tarr and
colleagues at the </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">University</span></st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> of </span><st1:placename><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Oxford</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">
have found that just dancing in time with someone might be enough to release
these neurohormones into the bloodstream. They asked Brazilian high school
students to dance in groups of three to fast-paced music, finding that those
who synchronized their movements had an increased pain threshold (as measured
by inflating a blood pressure cuff around their arm). This suggests that there
were more endorphins in these dancers’ bodies, so the researchers speculate
that we might get a social ‘high’ from dancing with others. That would explain
flash mobs, at least.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dance is one of the most important activities we can
do. We are born to groove. It’s what our brains are wired for and it helps us
bond. Dancing is good for you. So this Christmas, throw caution to the wind and
get your body moving to all those cheesy festive tunes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Science of Dad
Dancing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The concept of dad dancing gets a bad press. Even its
dictionary definition is disparaging: “Awkward or unfashionable dancing to pop
music, as characteristically performed by middle-aged or older men.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">In 2011, I carried out a survey of almost 14,000
people (including over 8000 men), looking at dance confidence and dancing
styles at different ages. I found that men’s dancing confidence typically
starts at a very low level in the early teens, steadily increasing with age,
peaking and plateauing in the mid to late thirties before coming down again
after 40. At the same time, their freestyle dance movements tend to become
larger, less coordinated and more random the older they get. Eventually, it’s
like they’re dancing to music that only they can hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">This slightly awkward dancing style may be
evolution’s way of signaling reduced testosterone levels, warning younger women
that the dancer is past his sexual prime and that they might be better off
looking elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">But men, don’t let any negativity put you off. The
benefits of dancing are enormous. In the name of science, we should reclaim dad
dancing, rebrand it and embrace it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">5 Reasons why Dancing
is Good for you<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">1. It boosts self esteem<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Several studies have shown that dancing can help to
increase feelings of self-worth. In one 2007 study, researchers from Laban and
Hampshire Dance found that children aged between 11 and 14 who took part in
creative movement classes reported improved self-esteem, motivation and more
positive attitudes towards dance, as well as better physical fitness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">2. It helps you find a mate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">It was Charles Darwin who suggested that dancing can
act as a form of sexual selection, and research suggests that we are indeed
communicating to potential mates when we strut our stuff. A 2011 study asked
women to rate men on their dancing prowess. The winning formula? Head shaking,
torso bending, and twisting of the right knee, apparently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">3. It tackles depression<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dancing has been shown to reduce feelings of
depression. But different dancing styles have different effects. In a study led
by </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Andrew Lane</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">
at the </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">University</span></st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">
of </span><st1:placename><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Wolverhampton</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">,
dancing characterized by relaxed, free-flowing movements helped to improve
mood, whereas dancing in a physically contracted way had the opposite effect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">4. It helps solve problems<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Just five minutes of freestyle dancing is enough to
increase your creativity, according to researchers at </span><st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sheffield</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">
and </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">York</span></st1:placename><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">
</span><st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Universities</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">.
In 2014, participants were asked to either dance, cycle or sit quietly while
listening to music, and it was the dancers who showed improvements in both mood
and creative problem solving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">5. It relieves pain<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rugby</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">
is a tough game played by tough people. But some rugby players will dance
before a game – just think of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">New Zealand</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">
team’s haka. In 2015, researchers at the </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">University</span></st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> of </span><st1:placename><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Oxford</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">
found that group dancing can increase a person’s threshold for pain. Dancing,
it seems, can release endorphins, helping to take the sting out of a
full-contact tackle.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Brian - AIMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754317079752875868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272705302456714002.post-28017675240630607142015-08-21T10:00:00.002-07:002015-08-21T10:00:26.363-07:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK3"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK2"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK1"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Relighting The Spark<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have raised your children, are
getting close to retiring (or are already retired), and it happens. You look
across the breakfast table at your partner and think, “We haven’t done anything
together in ages. It’s time we get to know one another again. To fall in love
again, to rekindle the fire”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The problem is finding
something that you can both do together at the same time that invites romance.
There are many things that couples can do together, but finding something that
is both active and romantic is getting more and more difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was a time, not so long
ago, when couples went dancing EVERY week. There was always a place you could
go, where couples would whirl around the dance floor, creating an enchanting,
lively scene. Dances like that are more difficult to find, but they are in fact
out there, some of them right here in town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Now imagine yourself taking your partner onto
the floor and being able to move with confidence and poise. Picture how great
it would feel to sway with the music, you and your partner in tune with one
another. When you learn to dance in an environment that is fun, exciting and
makes it easy, you become involved in an activity that exercises your body as
well as your mind in a way that few other hobbies allow. Dancing with each
other, you will find that you also learn to co-operate and encourage one
another. Spending time together; and bonding with your partner while engaging
in a new and entertaining pastime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are benefits for both
gentlemen and ladies in dancing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For him, it’s the ability to
take your partner onto the dance floor, and have her thrilled to be there; while
most men are not motivated by the promise of feeling “light and free and
floating”, if a lady wants to feel that way, and you have that ability to give
her what she wants, she will be happy. If you don’t have a clue as to how to
move your hips like a Cuban, that’s still quite ok. But, if you can get a woman
to move her hips, and put a genuine smile on her face while doing it, why
wouldn’t you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For her if it could be summed
up in one sentence; because it makes her feel beautiful. Despite what you might
think from watching movies and television, dancing is not about just <i>looking </i>like a fairy-tale princess or
movie star. It’s about <i>feeling</i> like
one. The promise of a gentlemen making you feel like the most beautiful lady on
the dance floor is one of the most magical aspects of couples dancing. No
amount of makeup, botox, spandex, hairspray or airbrushing can make a lady’s
eyes light up from the inside, or put a genuine smile on her lips like moving
with a partner while he twirls and sways with you to the music. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many couples that begin dancing make it a weekly “date night”, and
some have been dancing together for many years. All of these couples are in
long term marriages, with some having over thirty years together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frank and Marian O’Connor have been attending their weekly dance
lessons for over 13 years. When they were asked by a group of young people how
they managed to stay married for so long, when so many marriages are ending, Frank
simply responded “I take my wife dancing every week”. As expected, the youths
responded with many “awwwww”’s, and “that’s so sweet”. The couple just looked
at each other, and smiled knowingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never danced before? Don’t worry. Once you get the first steps of a
dance under your belt, the rest is like learning to walk – one step at a time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soon you’ll find yourselves caught up in a whirlwind of romance,
sharing, working together, and gliding across the floor. If you are looking to
reconnect with your spouse, dancing together may just be the ticket.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For Ballroom, Latin and
fitness classes in town, as well as monthly dances, please visit AIM Dance’s
website at brantforddancelessons.com, or call 519.720.0379</span></i><i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
Brian - AIMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754317079752875868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272705302456714002.post-3716845798897856142013-10-10T05:20:00.000-07:002013-10-11T06:03:31.222-07:00WHY ARE SOME ZUMBA CLASSES CHEAPER THAN OTHERS?<br />
Have you ever wondered why there can be such a difference in the fees charged for what seems to be the same class? What you'll find is that Zumba classes are <u>not</u> all the same. There are some fundamental health and safety issues that contribute to the fees. Here are some of the questions you should ask before joining a class.<br />
<br />
1) What is the floor like?<br />
<br />
Doctors
are reporting more and more injuries from Zumba classes. When
attempting any kind of physical activity on a hard tile, brick or cement
floor, it can cause serious and permanent injuries to your feet, knees,
hips, and back from the constant jarring effect of landing on an
immovable surface. The chance of injuries are greatly reduced when there
is a "floating floor" and reduced even further with a "sprung floor". AIM has 3 different rooms, all with dance floors installed.<br />
<br />
2) Are the instructors upgrading their skills?<br />
<br />
Training
and experience are an essential part of an instructor's routine. When
your Zumba teacher comes from a dance background, you can be assured
that you are doing technique that reduces the chance of injury, and
increases the fun of the class.<br />
<br />
<br />
3) What is the average class size?<br />
<br />
When the
classes are kept small, you will have more room to move, offering you a
better workout. You should not been constricted by space when doing a
Zumba class.<br />
<br />
<br />
4) Is there Air conditioning and/or dehumidifiers?<br />
<br />
Keeping
the air cool and the humidity levels low allows you to breathe easier
during a class. This allows a more efficient exchange of oxygen, which
in turns allows you to work your muscles more effectively, without the breathing problems that can occur during extreme heat..<br />
<br />
<br />
5) Can you see the instructor? Can you see yourself?<br />
<br />
Most
dance studios have mirrors, so that you can see your instructor from
many areas of the dance floor. This also means that you can see
yourself. While this can be intimidating at first, you'll find that it's
easier to make sure you're doing the steps properly when you can see
how you're moving.<br />
<br />
<br />
6) Is there free water available?<br />
<br />
Keeping
your body hydrated is a fundamental aspect of ANY fitness regimen.
Fluids must be replaced in order to keep yourself cool and functioning
at an efficient level. There are always water coolers making water available for free, all the time.<br />
<br />
<br />
7) Is there parking available?<br />
<br />
Parking
on the street, or in a "bad" area of town is always risky. Make sure
the parking lot is lit, and has a direct pathway to the facility.<br />
<br />
<br />
8) What is the sound system like?<br />
<br />
<br />
Most
portable sound systems are designed with two speakers. What that means
is that you are either blasted with sound because you are standing right
beside the speaker, or have a hard time hearing because you are too far
away from the speaker. At AIM, the speakers are placed in each corner of the room , allowing all participants to hear the music, yet not be blasted into the next room.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
9) How long has the class been offered at the facility?<br />
<br />
<br />
If you're going to begin a fitness program, one of the primary factors is being able to continue it for a period of time. AIM has been at the same location since 2000, and has been offering Zumba classes since 2008. This gives you the benefits of knowing that we will be here tomorrow, and that the instructors are some of the most experienced around.<br />
<br />
<br />
10) Is there a sense of community and friendship at the facility?<br />
<br />
It's much easier to reach your fitness goals when fitness is fun and friendly. In a class of 60 or more people, it's difficult to make new friends, and the instructor cannot be in tune to that many students' needs. Our students are the friendliest, & most encouraging that you'll find anywhere!<br />
<br />
These are the top ten reasons why some Zumba class fees are higher than others. All of these reasons contribute to your enjoying your classes more, and getting a great workout at the same time. <br />
<br />Brian - AIMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754317079752875868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272705302456714002.post-72575832068332896892012-11-30T07:01:00.000-08:002012-11-30T07:01:19.283-08:00TEACHING ON THE DANCE FLOOR<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We've all seen it. We may have even been through it ourselves. There you are on the dance floor, moving gracefully across the floor, you and your partner enjoying every minute of the music and atmosphere. And then, there it is.<br /><br />A couple, who are at the beginning of their dance journey trying a step that you have mastered years ago. What is the right course of action? Do you stop and offer them help, so as to speed their journey along? Or would you just keep dancing?<br /><br />If help is offered, you run the risk of explaining the step in a way which they wouldn't understand, and it could possibly make the situation worse. There is also the risk of offending their sense of their ability (i.e. making them feel like lousy dancers). I think we can agree, none of these scenarios create the desired outcome.<br /><br /><br /><br />There may be a way to solve it.<br /><br /><br /><br />Try this. As you dance by a, start by giving them encouragement by saying "I remember learning that step - it's a tough one", or "I had trouble with that step when I learned it". Say something that lets them know they are not alone in their struggle, and that may also invite them to say "How do I do this step?".<br /><br /><br />Always encourage them to ask an instructor first, and then if they still ask, briefly explain the step.<br /><br />There is no hard and simple solution to this problem, and every situation is different. Please take this little lesson on etiquette with you the next time you're on the floor.<br /><br />TWINKLES & GRAPEVINES!</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">brantforddancelessons.com</span></b></span></span>Brian - AIMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754317079752875868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272705302456714002.post-59145788829614201612012-02-21T05:36:00.000-08:002012-02-21T05:39:25.148-08:00DANCING TOGETHERThis weekend, my wife and I went dancing two night in a row; it seems odd to say that, considering that we dance every day for 5-6 hours, but we rarely get the chance dance with each other anymore.<br /><br />I was reminded of how great dancing can be, when you are in tune with your partner, and things just go really well, and the most important thing - how happy it makes her.<br /><br />If you have the chance - dance! You will both feel better......Brian - AIMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754317079752875868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272705302456714002.post-51810532913314362372011-12-01T09:09:00.000-08:002011-12-01T09:19:11.329-08:00FOOT POSITIONS<p> There are many ways to describe foot positioning. Some methods involve describing the angle or position of a single foot, while others describe the positions or angles of the feet relative to each other. This will give you a basic understanding of the most common methods for describing the various positions of the feet. </p> <p> The basic method is to refer to one of five basic foot positions:<br /></p><p>1ST - Feet are together, directly under the body<br /></p><p>2ND - Feet apart, side by side<br /></p><p>3RD - Feet together, heel to instep<br /></p><p>4TH - Feet apart one in front of the other<br /></p><p>5TH - Feet together, one foot in front of the other, toe to heel<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Turning Out</b> is when the feet turn outward to an angle, so that the toes point away from each other. The angle that results between the feet is known as the degree of turnout. When the feet are held without any turnout, they are referred to as parallel.<br /></p><p>Turnout in the Latin and Rhythm dances is recommended. The desirable amount of turnout is between a minimum of45 and and maximum of 90 degrees. Ballet dancers strive to achieve turnout through the rotation of the legs so that the knees always point to the same angle as the toes. Latin dancers, on the other hand, will allow the feet to turn out at the ankles; the knees, when bent, point straight forward (or even roll slightly inward) in spite of the turned-out angle of the feet.<br /></p><p>The rolling of the foot toward the inside or outside edge is known as pronation and supination, respectively. It is very important to become aware of these positions, even if you don't remember their names.<br /></p><p>The pronated position (weight on the inside edge) is used quite frequently in the Latin and Rhythm dancing. When the body weight is held over the outside edge, the foot has rolled out into a supinated position A supinated position is undesirable, and should be avoided at all times.<br /></p><p>You'll also find that supination of the foot tends to promote a "turning in" of the feet, rather than the desired "turning out".</p><p>Enjoy!</p><p><br /></p><p>Twinkles & Grapevines!</p><p><br /></p><p>http://artinmotion.fp.execulink.com<br /></p>Brian - AIMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754317079752875868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272705302456714002.post-57799330880820749172011-10-04T09:10:00.000-07:002011-10-04T09:15:00.913-07:00Waltz Exercise<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Stand with your feet together, toes pointing forward, and knees slightly bent.. Picture yourself in front of a clothesline. Rise and fall is the ability to go underneath it without ducking or bending at the waist. stepping forward with your left foot, bend your knees to clear the clothesline; but you've got to keep your back and neck straight!. You are now beyond the clothesline, so you can straighten your knees and step with your right foot to the side and draw your feet together on “3.” Do this several times, in order to get the feel of it.<br /></span></span>Brian - AIMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754317079752875868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272705302456714002.post-54291052627605184932011-08-02T10:21:00.000-07:002011-08-02T10:27:38.622-07:00HEEL, BOY, HEEL!The general rule is, in Ballroom, Standard or Smooth (whichever you call it), forward moving steps for either Ladies or Gentlemen should be heel leads.<br /><br />But how to do a large step on the heel lead without my heels sliding out from under me? Easy! Keep your body weight over top of your foot, rather than behind it. The best way to do this is to have a slight bend in the knee that is traveling forward, and push off with the foot that is behind.<br /><br /> The Gentlemen's steps for example, would see the man having both knees slightly bent, the left foot moving forward, and the right right leg pushing the body into the step. If you keep your left knee slightly bent, you will land with the heel underneath your body, and no sliding. Same for ladies!<br /><br />To learn more in person, visit http://artinmotion.fp.execulink.comBrian - AIMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754317079752875868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272705302456714002.post-27274043251241067572011-06-06T05:02:00.000-07:002011-06-06T05:04:57.402-07:00A GIFT FROM THE SEARecently, two friends of ours just got married, and I was reminded of the poem that was read at our wedding. I'd like to share that with you. Enjoy.<br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A Gift from the Sea: Anne Morrow Lind burg</span></i><span style="font-size:14.0pt"></span></span></p><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A good relationship has a pattern like a dance and is built upon some of the same principles.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The partners do not need to hold on tightly, because they move confidently in the same pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Intricate, but swift and free like birds on the wing.<span style=""> <br /></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>To touch heavily would be to disturb the pattern and freeze the moment, to check the endlessly changing beauty of its unfolding.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">There is no place here for the possessive clutch, the clinging arm or the heavy hand; only the barest touch in passing.<span style=""><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now arm in arm, now face to face, now back to back- it does not matter which.<span style=""><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They know that they are being invisibly nourished by it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is joy of creation, the joy of participation, and the joy of living for the moment.<span style=""><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is the private place where love is pleased to dwell.</span></span></p>Brian - AIMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754317079752875868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272705302456714002.post-12778891770213680172011-05-03T06:02:00.000-07:002011-05-03T06:10:48.746-07:00POPPING THE CLUTCHIf any of you have ever tried to learn how to drive a car with a manual transmission, or been in a car where the driver has "popped the clutch"? I'm sure you are familiar with the feeling. You know, that abrupt acceleration, pushing your head back, making you nauseous!<br /><br />Well, on the dance floor, we want to avoid that as well. The easiest way to avoid an abrupt start is to ease into it; when you begin your steps, the gentlemen should initiate the movement BEFORE the beat actually happens.<br /><br />In other words, initiate the movement with a slight lean, just before the "1" beat occurs. Adjust the size of the lean according to the size of the step you want to take - bigger lean, bigger step, smaller lean, smaller step.<br /><br />Ladies will learn to recognize this instinctively, and respond appropriately to your leads.<br /><br />CAUTION: DO NOT LEAN TOO FAR; YOU DON'T WANT TO FALL OVER :)<br /><br />http://artinmotion.fp.execulink.comBrian - AIMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754317079752875868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272705302456714002.post-16243491982028476962011-04-11T05:29:00.000-07:002011-04-11T05:38:52.154-07:00RISE AND FALLWhy is it called rise and fall? It should be called "Fall and Rise"! When you try to add rise and fall to smooth dances, like the Waltz or Foxtrot, you need to remember that it's the difference in your height that makes it appear so elegant.<br /><br />What I mean is, without any "falling" the rise doesn't look as dramatic, and vice-versa.<br /><br />If you begin with your knees locked and straight, and then try to rise up to your toes, the effect will not be as impressive as if you begin with your knees slightly bent (or soft), lower slightly, and then rise up on your toes.<br /><br />So how do we apply this? Well, in Waltz we'll begin with our knees soft, and lower on the "1". The rise to the toes begins after this, but we need to be careful not rise fully until "3". "2" can be considered a transitional step. There should still be some room for extension up to your toes by the time you get to "3".<br /><br />Next, lower as you step on the "and 1", returning to your original start position by the "1" has arrived.<br /><br />Visit http://artinmotion.fp.execulink.comBrian - AIMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754317079752875868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272705302456714002.post-46377864479933533972011-02-26T10:32:00.000-08:002013-05-26T16:42:59.158-07:00LEAD & FOLLOW<span style="font-family: arial;">Have you ever looked at a picture hanging on your wall? If you haven't (I bet you have), then go do that now. Ask yourself "What is the first I notice about the picture?" Is it the colours? The Shapes? The objects in it? The size?<br /><br />Whichever you notice at first, I'm willing to bet that it's not the frame!<br /><br />Look at the picture again, and imagine that the frame has been spray painted lime green, encrusted with cheap costume jewels, and is crooked. This would probably distract from the picture.<br /><br />If gentlemen picture themselves as the frame, and the lady the picture, this shows clearly how to approach ballroom dancing. If the frame is overbearing, it distracts from the picture. The frame must be strong and solid, without being overbearing (or tacky!).<br /><br />Guys, you're objective on the dance floor is to make the lady you're dancing with feel like she is the most beautiful one in the room. The more you do that, the more she will want to dance with you.<br /><br />Lead her confidently, but don't lead her into steps that you KNOW she doesn't know, just to show off how many intricate steps you know - this will make her feel foolish, and will make it less likely that she will want to dance with you.<br /><br />Ladies, imagine your gentleman sweeping you off your feet, knowing that he won't run you into a wall, or other couples, or make you look foolish on the floor - that's a great feeling., isn't it? In order for him to do that , you must not back lead; the more you back lead, the less he will lead. The more you let him lead, the more he <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">will</span> lead.<br /><br />Take this philosophy onto the dance floor, and you both will enjoy dancing together more and more. or, if you're single, you will be the type of lady the every guy wants to dance with, or the gentlemen that the ladies fantasize about being with on the dance floor.</span><span style="font-family: arial;">To learn more about dancing and leading and following , visit www.brantforddancelessons.com</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Twinkles & Grapevines!</span>Brian - AIMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754317079752875868noreply@blogger.com